Adders in Essex

rlchew · #1 (**permalink**) 31-03-2007, 08:29 PM

Last weekend I visited an Essex Wildlife Trust reserve close to where I live as my "Wild Essex" book said it was a good site for Adders. I did see one but every time I was ready to take a photo, the Adder was ready to slither back in to the undergrowth.

Not known for giving up easily, I returned today having learnt a little more about the optimum weather conditions for Adders and how to approach them (mostly from previous message threads here on WAB).

This time I was much more fortunate and I managed to take around 20 photos, of which these are the best ....

I hope you like the photos .... I am really pleased with my first efforts at Adder photography.

Richard

goosey · #2 (**permalink**) 31-03-2007, 08:52 PM

Of course I like you photo's - they are great! I'm incredibly jelous. They are on my three things to photograph this year wish list. Thank goodness you went back to try again - and didn't stay and think what might have been. Well done you, I am really pleased for you.

aeshna5 · #3 (**permalink**) 31-03-2007, 08:53 PM

Well done Richard- good photos of these tremendous reptiles.

yellowhammer · #4 (**permalink**) 31-03-2007, 08:56 PM

Nice shots Richard! Looks like a pre-shed male just out of hibernation. Keep an eye on the same location, you should see him after he's shed (in the next week or so) and if you're lucky you may see the males fencing (dancing).

It's worth knowing that a disturbed adder will often return to the same basking spot within 20 minutes or so if you keep still, so if they clear off don't think that's it for the day!

rlchew · #5 (**permalink**) 31-03-2007, 11:36 PM

Many thanks for your positive comments.

Yellowhammer .... yes, the "wait and see" approach certainly paid off today and I will remember that for the future .... which will probably be tomorrow

.

Richard

Kymba · #6 (**permalink**) 31-03-2007, 11:40 PM

Great Photo's Rich
Can't wait to see some more

I remember growing up in the country and seeing them all the time..
Funny but now I can;t remember the last time I saw one.

Wild-Woman · #7 (**permalink**) 01-04-2007, 07:16 AM

Great photos Richard! Fantastic creatures aren't they. I intend to get some decent shots this year...well I'll try to anyway.

rlchew · #8 (**permalink**) 20-04-2007, 05:42 PM

Here are some more photos from my local site.

This is the first spring that I have seen an Adder for a very long time .... and been able to get some reasonable photos as well

.

Richard